I've been a policy analyst in the Civil Service (environment, tourism, justice) for 5 years but am very frustrated at the lack of opportunity and challenge. I'm interested in moving into consultancy but want to learn more about the different sectors. I'd be grateful for views as to what kind of consulting my skills seems to fit so I can focus my research:- Analysis & problem solving - I get to grips with new issues very quickly and am better with the adreneline of tight deadlines than 6-12 month timelines - Verbal & written communication - esp clear, succinct analysis of complex issues- Build strong relationships quickly with v different people: refugees and CEOs of FTSE 100s I'd also be grateful for any suggestions for the best route to apply through. I've no direct fin experience but have Cambridge econ degree so I'm fairly confident I can cope. However I've no private sector experience and experienced hires seem to be mainly existing consultants & engineers. Nevertheless I hope I've more to offer than a fresh-faced grad!I'd prefer something based in Scotland or at least outside London, though happy to travel during the week. Any pearls of wisdon gratefully received!

I know that the top strategy firms Mckinsey and BCG (I assume BAH and Bain as well) have a track record of recruiting Civil Servants and others who don't have direct 'business experience' (I assume you'd go in as 'Associate' at Mck or 'Consultant' at BCG). They are however very hard to get into - in my experience the civil servants who've been hired have been from one of the more 'elite' bits of the civil service - Cabinet Office, Treasury, Private Offices, Bill Teams etc. Having a strong degree from a good university and proving that you have been a top performer in whatever bits of the civil service you've worked on will be very valuable.

Why would you want to abandon the best protected pension in the country, great flexible working, fantastic training and loads of holidays for the private sector? I'm a consultant, my partner is a civil servant, for exactly the same salary, he does half the hours I do, work from home on a regular basis and has a much better job satisfaction than I do.Stay in the civil service, get a transfer to a more challenging position and enjoy the best work-life balance on the market.

It may seem exciting to move into the consulting world but once you have built up some time with the civil service, you should definitely stay. Sensible working hours, stability and a strong pension plan. You will be making the biggest mistake of your life. The grass is not always greener.

I made a similar transition in 1998, although I was probably not as senior as you - SEO / HEO with 10 years' experience in DSS and derivatives.I agree that the grass is not always greener but sometimes one needs "jam today" rather than worry about pensions tomorrow and I have never regretted my choice.My route to consultancy and one I would recommend, was via a secondment to a consulting company. I "chose" one with which I was familiar and which did a great deal of work with my department. Contrary to my expectations, they treated me as a regular employee immediately and valued my input, unsurprisingly, into how to increase their business with my dept and the public sector in general.The key for me was knowing that their product and services were 1st rate and purchasing organisations would be glad of their choice.When my secondment ended, I joined the co as a full time employee and stayed for 2.5 years in all. I then moved to other companies - 2 years and 4 years - and I'm just about to move again.My salary is nearly 3x what it was when I left the service although I have no idea what it would have been if I stayed. It was never about the money - although that is welcome. I felt jaded, bored and trapped inside a huge organisation that had no idea how to change itself, nor whether it really wanted to.I know that PKF have both taken and sent people on secondment to Treasury and DTI, although their consultancy is based only in London. If your dept thinks they'll lose you to boredom etc they may well agree to let you out on loan for a while and you can see what you think of consultancy etc 1st hand. I went to a very small co - 4 or 5 of us, PKF is 30ish - there must be others out there, especially if your employing dept would "part fund" you.Good luckPanter

Why give up all the flexi time, defined benefit salary scheme, constant sickies, and privilige days for the hassle of zero job security, long hours, and constant pressure to exceed client expections ?You're mad to leave.